Saturday, January 23, 2010

Wave basketball coach suspended for one game

His name is Travis McAvene, and he was suspended for "unsportsmanlike behavior" which included a verbal argument with some fans. People were upset at the time of McAvene's hiring, mostly due to some unconfirmed rumors posted on a sports chat site. Looks like McAvene isn't doing much to calm those concerns.

A Wave fan was reportedly banned from future sporting events as well. Classy all around Greenwaves!

The Advocate has more details if you're interested.

30 comments:

  1. The school sure does not need this after all the trouble to get back into a league… I do not know all of the circumstances, but it can’t look good for Greenville.

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  2. Wow, only 1 game!!! Go figure, he needs to resign. We don't need this type person teaching our youth.

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  3. Maybe this incident will remind the "powers that be" that character is the number one trait they need to be looking for when hiring coaches. They are representing our entire system, and if I was a teacher and had the same outburst, there's no way a one day suspension would have been the penalty. Wonder why the fan is banned for the rest of the season and the coach for only one game? Who bears the most responsibility in this circumstance? Very sad.

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  4. Points well taken here people. "Slap on the hand and lets finish the season" that is there response, hate to say it but they better hope it doesnt blow up in there faces. shame, real shame

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  5. Has anyone else heard that this guy came here with skeletons in his closet, why didn't our administation do a more thorough background check on this guy?

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  6. Our community has been saying this about the hiring of quality coaches for a very long time now and our "administration" didn't want to listen - they said they were doing what was right and good for the school. What a dis-grace to have a coach in his capacity to set an example to our kids. What will this do the morale of those kids. That is the real story here. I think that "Administration" should look at all the coaches they hire and it should be mandatory that all coaches live and work in our school district, have a moral obligation to stay with the program for more than one year so that our kids do not have to keep fighting an up-hill battle. Shame on our administrators for not thinking of our kids and only thinking of "their friends" and who they could help!

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  7. Skeletons in his closet? I wouldnt go into it here, but all of you just type in his name and google it, see for yourself. This has been known since day one, rrrreeeeaaal good background check on an outsider no one even knew. pathetic

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  8. This coach should resign and do what is right by the kids... let the assistant coach (Justin) take the team after all he is a greenville grad.. not an outsider that doesn't care and apparently our "coach" as an agenda.

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  9. http://www.hoopsusa.com/f_viewtopic.cfm?trnbr=3161

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  10. My question is this? Why did the Supertindent hire this guy - why didnt the Athletic Director hire him? Does she rule the roost? Just an outsider looking in - in county schools - the Super doesn't interfere with hiring and day to day operations that what the people he/she hired are suppose to do.,, Hmmmmm maybe that is why the county schools have quality coaches!

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  11. In light of a school levy vote right around the corner, this is NOT what we all want to read and hear about. Kinda slows down the momentum for giving more dollars to the school board.

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  12. Justin Whiting should be he coach for reserve and varsity. seems he is drawing all the play and doing the coaching anyway.
    even coach barker doesn't seem to have a clue
    good job Justin.
    not fair for the fan to be banned from greenville athletics and the coach only get one game suspension

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  13. Looks like some parents and fans are upset because they think they can do a better job! There are two sides to every story, I know I and several others moved away from these fans because of their comments throughout the entire game. They were very negative towards the players, the coach and the officials. Its not the first time they have done this. I agree the coach might not have not have been the right hire, but both of these individuals wanted the job and their personal life and morals sure don't remotely approach the person I want coaching my kids. Sour grapes are plentiful here. I agree we need to hire in house, people who are teachers and who are qualified, then the administration need to back them up. We also need to get School Board Members to stop trying to run the show so their kids and their friends kids don't get special treatment...the coaches need to be able to play the kids that will win the games and not play the "name" kids in fear that they will get fired.

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  14. The best qualified coaches are not always teachers. When has it been said that a Teacher is a qualified coach? The best qualified coach is someone that has been there and done that before. Someone who has a GOOD track record of coaching today's youth. Someone who knows what it takes to coach a group of young kids to work together to achieve one common goal.

    I'm a Greenville Alumni an it makes me sick to my stomach to even acknowledge that right now.

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  15. I am a past coach of a Greenville sport. I am not a teacher, do not work for the school and probably will never. I do not think that it is fair to have only teachers, coach. I agree with "B". I was more qualified than the coaches after me. They do background searches on everyone but that isn't a personality exam. I think that you should hire someone who cares about the kids and wants them to succeed more than win. Succeeding doesn't always mean first place. The coach needs to be dedicated just as much if not more, as the children. Kids have rules that they are held too. I think that coaches should have the same rules and held accountable for their actions. I was taunted and verbally abused by parents lots of times....but that is not your focus. You need to set a good example so that the child knows the proper way to act, because apparently a lot of parents don't know the proper way to behave.

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  16. The real truth in the matter is - there has not been a coach in years to Coach Basketball at Greenville with a touted record. A Coach that displays, Sportsmanship, Compassion, integrity, Mentor and above all, a teacher...a coach that is going to lead his team to victory not only on the court but in the classroom & life.

    People/coaches have to be given the freedom to show the heart they possess. I believe it’s a leader’s responsibility to provide that type of freedom. And I know it can be done through relationships and family. Because if a team is a real family, it’s members want to show you their hearts....
    Greenville has been passing up on quality coaches and have not recognized a "great" coach from a "lousy" coach. This school needs a coach with experience/driven ability to build a program that exceeds everyones goals and aspirations.

    Please help rebuild the basketball program and sports in Greenville to live up to its potential - to collaborate with other working programs and strive to be the best! where's the aggressiveness, passion or even dignity? I know it can be done, but only if they are willing to put such effort into something that could be great !!!

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  17. Thats what you get Wave for Hiring this guy anyways...Noone ever heard of him...then you get this. Well done Wave.

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  18. The way it looks is the coach allowed some foul mouth drunks get the best of him. Those people should be banned from any sporting event Greenville puts on forever. There is no place for alcohol at the game and the fact that people moved away from them during the game should say enough. I commend the coach for taking it as long as he did. And he should have gone to the Admin. a long time ago. If they dropped the ball (which in this case it looks like they did) shame on them. This guy can coach and should be allowed to do so without some drunks heckling him. Good Luck Wave...:[

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  19. What a fiasco! I was not at the game but heard from a hand full of fans (that are respectable, highly regarded, well known, and were sober) that were there and witnessed the language and behavior used by Coach McAvene. The words he used cannot be repeated on this site. They stated that no one heckled Coach McAvene. He made some comments right before the game was over to his bench players about the fans being idiots that only come to watch them lose. Then a fan stated we are not idiots and come to support you kids and root you to victory. Then Coach McAvene’s behavior and language escalated. His actions and language should not be tolerated. The players, assistant coaches, and spectators, not to mention the community of Greenville deserve better. Coach McAvene’s past history before coming to Greenville is very bleak off the basketball court. His past coaching jobs were at several private schools in Indian where his win loss records were outstanding and produced many college athletes. However they were for only one season and he would move on. I now have a good idea why his past coaching tenures only lasted one season. Hopefully he will be one and done at Greenville to. He may have been a good coach who produced winning teams in the past, but his coaching code of conduct and an example as a role model leaves much to be desired. We need to present to the GWOC next year a first class sports program. We cannot afford to have this happen and be the mockery of the GWOC. This issue needs to be corrected and soon.

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  20. "...This guy can coach..." You obviously haven't seen the Wave play this year. Plus, if you can't handle the fans yelling at you, your fans or the opposing fans, then your coaching the wrong sport. Might I suggest golf, or maybe bowling.

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  21. What is a coach? Is he here to stay? Does he work with the younger programs ( could building a program), does he practice every day? He obviously is not staying long term in our school - so as with all the other sports ( except for softball and football) - our kids suffer becuase they are constantly heading in an upward battle!

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  22. To "...What a fiasco..", WELL SAID! I have been to every game and would have to say I have never witnessed the coach being heckled, or his fiance (which was stated on the Advocate360 site). I just discovered this site and am so glad to see that there is an outlet for people to express there concerns anonymously without fear of repercussions. The selection committee who chose this coach should be ashamed of themselves for selecting him over another very qualified and respected candidate. They got what they deserved, but, unfortunatly, the kids did not. They deserved much, much better. GO WAVE!

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  23. I, as a citizen and fan - as well as a mother of a player - am always concerned with the morals and teaching skills of our coaches. HOWEVER, as we all point our fingers, I think we need to all also consider our attitudes and support as fans - I believe we too have responsibilities.

    I am saddened when I see how few people show up to support our teams, the lack of pride in wearing our school colors, and the lack of cheering and support from the people who do show up. It seems that so many people are always scrutinizing all our leaders, but spend so little time helping to create a positive environment for our kids to grow in.

    It is time that we all pull together and REALLY start showing our support for our school and community. I believe we can do this on so many levels. I believe it starts with when we hear negative conversations that we have no ability to change, we need to remove ourselves from the situation and resist the urge to get involved and create negativity. We can support all of the players - not just our own children. We can show up and support our teams - let's start cheering for our kids and let's MAKE SURE they know we are there for them. While I apprecite the fans that do show up, so many people in the crowds sit like a bunch of bumps on a log and are completely emotionless.

    Let's work together to create a better community and school. We are so blessed to have so many wonderful families, teachers and friends around us. We really do have a great community and we all CHOSE to live here. Let's start seeing the positive and appreciating it. I'm not saying to not acknowledge the weaknesses and to not work on improving them. Unfortunately, it takes more than sharing our concerns in small groups. We need action to create change. Let's get all of our energy working together to create a stronger wave!

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  24. I was at this game also, and I did not vitness this event, but one of the players told me what happened, he was visiably shakened by the scene. There are four seniors on this team, three have played basketball for six years for the Wave. I think the administration, coach, and fans, need to apologize to these young men , and the underclassmen also, for the unbecoming behavior of we adults. "What a memory these young men have been left with" GO WAVE!!!!VOTE YES FOR THE SCHOOL ISSUE.!!!

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  25. To Anonymous January 27, 2010 8:45 AM, Do you show up and support the choir, or the french club, or the spanish club, or the many other things going on in the school? My point is there is more to the school then sports. Your post has nothing but showing up to sporting events to show support for the school and community. Maybe you should consider that there is more than just sports in the school. Really supporting the school is yes even supporting the chess club.

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  26. To Anonymous January 27, I thought we were only talking about the game,because of the ruckus. Yes I do support all of the music programs, and by the way, they have a outstanding program. I do not support the french, spanish, & chess clubs, as I have never had anyone asking for a donation. I do support Jr. High and grade school also if a young student approaches me for help. "VOTE YES FOR THE SCHOOL ISSUE"

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  27. To Anonymous January 28, 2010, 2:51 PM

    Not sure who responded to you - it wasn't me, but since you asked -

    Yes - we do support other events and I should have included them in my original post. I guess in hindsight it's because the post I was responding to was regarding sports, I leaned towards that with my response. We support many types of extra-curricular events. We have children who have or are participating in Chess Club, Vocari and other activities as well as sports teams.

    We have and will continue to support fundraisers for the band, Choir, and other organizations - even though our children are not members. We enjoy watching them and are happy to support them! We volunteer our time whenever we can or are asked because we feel very fortunate to be a part of this community.

    We are always reminding our children how truly lucky they are to have our Career Tech Center and even little things like having multiple foreign languages to chose from at the High School. My husband and I came from a small school that we had one choice - Spanish and if we wanted to attend a Careeer Tech Center we had to get on a bus and leave our friends to attend. We APPRECIATE these opportunites for our children - and want them to appreciate it as well; so yes - thanks for pointing out these things I failed to bring up!

    I guess my point wasn't so much about just wearing our colors for sporting events - but more about feeling proud of where we come from and choosing to see that it is not all bad. We choose to see the great things around us and invite others to do the same - that's all that was meant by it.

    We do and will continue to support our WAVE - in the classroom, on the field, and in whatever way we can!

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  28. and this is why Greenville will never be a prosperous community like so many others around us!!! This is directly to the anonymous post about not supporting the Chess club, band, etc.
    We are so divided and focused on one thing being more important than another that we completley lose sight of the big picture!!!! And that my friends should be the well being of all the students be they athletes, drama club, band, or whatever they chose!!! You need to wake up and smell the foul scent in the air of a dying town and try to be the positive influence in a young persons life because God knows we need some positive reinforcement for all of them!!! If you don't believe that just take a walk thru the halls of our schools and look with an open mind and you may see exactly what I'm talking about!!! And no, I'm not a teacher or in any way affiliated with the school. I'm just involved and would like some positive things to happen to all in the town!!!

    That being said, GO WAVE!!! (no matter what your chosen path is!)

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  29. The last several posts have gotten far off the subject that originally started this line of comments, and that was the bad behavior and coaching, and suspension of the new coach. Support what you want and whatever your family is involved in. To each his own.

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  30. Wow...almost 3 weeks later and this still seems to be a very hot topic. I can tell you the 'fan' did not get suspended from anything...and why should he, he DID nothing wrong!! The accusations that he was heckling the coach/girlfriend are completely untrue...and his support of the players and the game itself is huge! The fact remains that this coach is not a good fit for Greenville....and the Administration knew about his 'reputation' and brought him in anyway. I attend all the games, and feel so badly when the away teams, have more fans and are louder than the home team. We need to bring back the 'spirit' that use to fill the GHS gymnasium!

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